CubaHeal Research Department: Cuba is at the forefront of orthopedic surgery, continuously evolving, creating new surgical techniques, designing medical devices, and improving patient’s quality of life. Hospitals in Cuba adhere to a strict conduit of hygiene, while also providing patient-center medical care. Due to the high standards of professionalism and efficiency that hospitals and medical staff uphold. Cuba attracts over 25 000 medical tourists each year.
Cuba has brought numerous innovations in the field of Orthopedics and Traumatology over the years, from which the entire world has benefited. Cuba has contributed to numerous advancements in joint replacement surgical techniques, As well as the development of more durable and efficient joint replacement prosthesis.
Total Hip Replacement Surgery
The primary indication for total hip replacement surgery is to relieve pain caused by severe osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis and avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Secondary indications include correction of significant deformities and post-traumatic reconstruction. Joint replacement is considered when the pain is disabling and significant or in cases in which joint dysfunction is causing significant reduction in the patient’s quality of life.
The surgery implies removing the damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial prosthesis. The artificial hip joint replacement has traditionally been made with cemented polyethylene cup implants.
However, Cuba has advanced to using “cementless” prostheses. These particular prostheses have microscopic pores which allow bony ingrowth from the normal femur into the prosthesis stem. This “cementless” hip is felt to have a longer duration and is considered especially for younger patients. The prosthesis can also be customized acording to the patient’s needs and anatomy.
Cuba has pioneered the surgical technique for cementless hip replacement surgery that is currently being used world-wide. Although many varieties of these specialized prostheses now exist; the most used model in Cuba is a prosthesis made of metal and polyethylene covered with hydroxyapatite , which is the main mineral component of bone , obtained naturally from coral and also synthetically in the laboratory. It is produced at the National Scientific Research Center, part of the west Havana scientific complex.
Advances in hip replacement surgery have also allowed for a „minimal invasive” surgery technique to be developed. The classical hip replacement surgery technique implies making an 10 to 25 cm cut along the side of the hip. In the minimally-invasive approach, doctors make one to two cuts from 5 to 13 cm long. The same procedure is performed through these small incisions as with standard hip replacement surgery. The aim of the minimal invasive approach is to limit soft-tissue and bone dissection.
Specialized instruments and trained assistants are essential for the success of this technique. The instruments are designed to keep the assistant’s hands out of the operative field while generating less tension on the soft tissues. Robotic or computer guidance can be used to virtually visualize the minimally exposed anatomy.
The use of small incisions, coupled with minimal tissue damage has been shown to lessen blood loss, ease pain following surgery, shorten hospital stays, reduce scar appearance, and speed healing. Moreover, 97% of patients attained standard physical therapy goals (transferring in and out of bed from standing, rising from a chair to standing, moving from standing to sitting, walking 100 feet, and negotiating a full flight of stairs) within 1 day of surgery.
While the technique is certainly an advancement in hip replacement surgery; it is difficult and requires highly trained medical team. Smaller incisions mean poor visibility of the area. Surgeons need to have excellent understanding of the anatomy of the region and have access to specialized hands-on training by operating on cadavers and by visiting experienced surgeons.
Specialized instruments and trained assistants are also essential for the success of this technique. The instruments are designed to keep the assistant’s hands out of the operative field while generating less tension on the soft tissues.
Total Knee replacement surgery
The primary indication for total knee replacement surgery is relief of significant, disabling pain caused by severe arthritis. Generally, it is indicated in older patients with more modest activities. It is also clearly indicated in younger patients who have limited function because of systemic arthritis with multiple joint involvement.
Significant advances have occurred in the type and quality of the metals, polyethylene, and, more recently, ceramics used in the prosthesis manufacturing process, leading to improved longevity. As with most techniques in modern medicine, more and more patients are receiving the benefits of total knee arthroplasty. In Cuba, an average of 140 total and revision knee replacement surgeries per 100.000 population are performed annualy.
For total knee replacement surgery Cuba now uses the KALISTE prosthesis model, manufactured by the French company FHorthopedic. Kalisté Total Knee System is a tricompartmental resurfacing prosthesis that allows the surgeons to begin the knee replacement surgery with either the tibial stage or the femoral stage. This prosthesis can be customized to the patient’s anatomy and has been designed to admit posterior cruciate ligaments PCLretaining or posterior stabilized PS Knee prosthesis.
The use of this knee replacement prosthesis coupled with the excellent surgical techniques that Cuban surgeons employ have led to excellent success rates. Statistics show that 91% of patients that have undergone the technique attained standard physical therapy goals within 2 day of surgery.
In addition to providing excellent medical care, Cuba has extremely affordable prices for various orthopedic surgeries, including total hip and knee replacement. A standard that should be upheld all over the world as medical care is a right, and not a privilege.
22 comments
Jenifer
November 16, 2019 at 1:58 am
Hi am seeking information about a knee replacement surgery,we would like to get an understanding of the possible cost as well as the procedure details, currently I am Jamaican national and I am in need of immediate assistance. Please advise.
Regards
Kikidee
November 25, 2019 at 6:06 pm
Hey my name is kikidee I in need is a knee replacement surgery as soon as possible am come over on the 2 of December
Sara (Last name withheld for privacy purposes)
March 14, 2020 at 2:26 am
How much for a knee surgery?
William (Last name withheld for privacy purposes)
April 18, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Hi,I had hip replacement surgery here in the Domincan Republic,now there are serious complications arising from fractures around the existing prosthesis and would require “revisiting ” and so I’m inquiring as to the potential for such surgery in Cuba,Thank,William O’Neilll
Curtis (Last name withheld for privacy purposes)
July 30, 2020 at 6:20 pm
Hi – My mother had a hip replacement done in Belize and now 11 yrs later there are serious complications which needs serious attention, her ability to walk has diminished rapidly and a bowing of the knee and deterioration of the glutes and leg muscles are extreme never mind the constant pain she endures… my query is for a potential surgery – your response would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Baljinder (Last name withheld for privacy purposes)
August 8, 2020 at 11:57 am
I NEED KNEE SURGERY PLEASE QUATE PRICE AND AVAILBILITY
CubaHeal Team
August 26, 2020 at 11:26 pm
Dear Baljinder,
Your inquiry has been forwarded to our admin department in order for them to reach out to you with full details of the possible surgical program, the cost, and the steps you are required to follow in order for the admin team to be able to forward your complete medical dossier to the Cuban Medical Authorities (CMA) for evaluation and determination of suitability.
Best regards,
CubaHeal team
Ricardo (Last name withheld for privacy purposes)
January 4, 2021 at 3:41 pm
I would like to get a quote for all related costs for a total hip replacement surgery. This to be done on my right hip
CubaHeal Client Care
June 10, 2022 at 11:39 pm
Dear Ricardo,
Your inquiry had been forwarded to our admin department.
Best regards
patrick (Last name withheld for privacy purposes)
January 29, 2022 at 1:02 am
i had a total left knee replacement ten years ago i have limited bending of the knee now about 30 degrees and am in extreme pain would like to have it redone in cuba need rhe cost and as much information i can get on how to proceed
thank you
CubaHeal Client Care
June 10, 2022 at 11:05 pm
Dear Patrick,
Your inquiry had been forwarded to our admin department.
Best regards
Didi
May 12, 2022 at 1:05 am
My husband is suffering from a knee tear ligament, I’m seeking a great doctor
CubaHeal Client Care
June 10, 2022 at 10:13 pm
Dear Didi,
Your inquiry had been forwarded to our admin department.
Best regards
Maurice (last name withheld for privacy protection)
January 21, 2023 at 6:33 pm
My mom requires knee replacement surgery, for both knees, what is the process, cost, time frame, we are in Jamaica
CubaHeal Client care
March 17, 2023 at 8:41 pm
Dear Maurice,
Your inquiry had been forwarded to our admin department in order for them to reach out to you with full details of the treatment/ surgical program, the costs, and the steps you are required to complete in order for the admin team to be able to forward your mom’s complete medical dossier to the Cuban Medical Authorities for evaluation and determination of treatment suitability.
Best regards
Crystal Blackett
May 4, 2023 at 1:29 am
Hi My name is Crystal Blackett and I’m writing on behalf of my uncle Rufus Blackett. We’re trying to find out the cost of a hip replacement procedure.
Murad (last name withheld for privacy protection)
June 4, 2023 at 1:45 am
Hi
seeking information for both knee replacement surgery we would like to get details of the possible cost as well as the procedure I currently reside in Tanzania 🇹🇿 and I am in need of immediate assistance.
Please advise thank you Murad.
CubaHeal Client Care
June 8, 2023 at 4:58 pm
Dear Murad,
Your inquiry had been forwarded to our admin department in order for them to reach out to you with full details of the treatment/ surgical program, the costs, and the steps you are required to complete in order for the admin team to be able to forward your son’s complete medical dossier to the Cuban Medical Authorities for evaluation and determination of treatment suitability.
Best regards
R C Brad
January 24, 2024 at 1:29 am
Please quote on TKR for 2 knees
Thank you
Conrad (last name withheld for privacy protection purposes)
August 20, 2024 at 7:50 pm
January 4, 2021 at 3:41 pm
I would like to get a quote for all related costs for a total hip replacement surgery. This to be done on my right hip.
CubaHeal Customer Care
September 12, 2024 at 9:24 pm
Dear MARC,
Your inquiry had been forwarded to our admin department in order for them to reach out to you with full details of the possible treatment options, the costs, and the steps you are required to complete in order for the admin team to be able to forward your complete medical dossier to the Cuban Medical Authorities (CMA) for evaluation and determination of suitability.
Best regards